Funeral services set for Fred Crow
Church service for Fred Noel Crow age 95, of Austin, Texas, is scheduled for 10:00 AM, Friday, Aug. 14, at Morton Church of Christ in Morton, Texas with Joey Pierce of Levelland, Texas officiating. Burial will be in Morton Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive guests from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026 at Ellis Funeral Home in Morton.
Fred Noel Crow, 95, passed away on August 8, 2026 following a brief illness, surrounded by his loving family.
Noel was born on July 1, 1931, to Fred Crow and Buna Williams Crow on their family farm east of Morton, Texas. Growing up on the cotton farm, which was adjacent to the county airport, Noel developed a lifelong love of aviation. He was inspired by local pilots returning from World War II who flew from the airport and, as a teenager, purchased his first airplane without his parents' knowledge and learned to fly.
His passion for aviation continued throughout his life. Noel became a commercial pilot, working for a time as a flight instructor and later as a crop duster. During his retirement years, he built and flew his own airplane from scratch—a fitting testament to his lifelong love of flying and ability to build and maintain virtually anything mechanical.
After graduating from high school, Noel enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was trained as an aircraft mechanic and helped maintain the B-29 bombers used during the Korean War. Upon returning home from military service, he put his mechanical skills to work maintaining the airplanes of local pilots including his own. In 1957, following his father's retirement, Noel took over operation of the farm.
Noel was a well-known and respected member of the Morton community. In 1964, he was elected to the Board of Directors of Morton Co-op Gin. He was also recognized by the Soil Conservation Service as the Outstanding Conservation Farmer of Cochran County for 1966. Noel was a longtime member of First Baptist Church and later attended Morton Church of Christ.
On Feb. 25, 1955, Noel married the love of his life, Bonnie Brownlow. Together they made their home and raised three children, Arlene, Dwayne, and Teresa. Bonnie preceded him in death in 2001. Noel again found companionship marrying Mona Kay Kelley who brought great joy to his later years as they enjoyed fishing at their lake home. She preceded him in death in 2021. Noel was also preceded in death by his parents and sisters Billie Lemons of Morton and Helen Smith of Tulia.
He leaves behind his children, Arlene Monroe of Bastrop, Texas; Dwayne Crow and wife Teresa of Campbell, Texas; and Teresa Tipton and husband Ken of Agency, Iowa; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren to cherish his legacy.
The family extends special thanks to his caregivers Elizabeth Herlocker and Evelyn Morin of Morton, and Lucy Rodriguez of Austin; for the special deeds of friendship in these last years of Scotty Simpson, Steve Thomas, Leann Merritt and nephew Dennis Lemons. The family gratefully acknowledges Kyle Weiss of Paige, Texas for his efforts in arranging a final flight home.
Noel will be remembered for walking his faith, love of family, dedication to his community, his mechanical skill, independent spirit, and lifelong love of aviation.
The family suggests memorials be sent to Cochran County Senior Citizens, 120 West Wilson, Morton, Texas, 79346. Online condolences may be made at www.ellisfuneralhomes.com.